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Wednesday, February 22, 2012

Today I turn 45 years old. I am now mature. No more potty talk, no more pranks, no more dancing naked on the porch.

Me at 5Me at 45

Much cuter at 5 than 45. But, same long finger toes and same book!

45 is only a milestone because I move into a new age group when racing. Up until two years ago I would not have even known what it meant to “move into another age group.” Now it gets me all giddy. Running/racing nerd for sure.

We have lots of ages. How old we are chronologically. How old we are cognitively. How old we are emotionally. And, how old we feel. Oh, then there’s that age they give you on the Biggest Loser, but I don’t have Dr. H here to tell me that I am actually 95 inside my body.

I think I’m 45 in every way except how I “feel.” Some would even (and have even) said I’m in about the fifth grade with how much I enjoy talking about farts. Hell, I just enjoy farting, period. I think it’s one of the joys of life. Don’t even get me started on sharts and other goodies like that.

Getting older is not sexy or glamorous, but it’s pretty funny. Weird shit goes down in your body and mind. If you can’t laugh, what can you do besides cry or call Dr. Kevorkian? (Although I did hear he died doing what he loved the most – dying! Ba da boom!).

Here’s what I’ve noticed about getting older:

I’m in a new age group (did I already say that?). In Boulder the 45-49 vagina age group is kick ass and bad ass and brutal. I’m glad to join these ladies just so they can massacre me at every race. They give me a standard to look up to.

My eyebrows are thinning and balding in places! I’ve never cared about my brows, but they are ridiculous. Being pretty low maintenance in regards to my hairs, I hate to admit it’s time for routine shaping and waxing. My “below” region might be next. My Betty is ready!

I care much less what people think. As I get older, I’m starting to shed the need to impress or entertain people. I’ve never had a very thick skin, but it is growing layers by the day. As I move into realizing that I am quite mortal and really will die someday, I am less and less concerned about what people think and more and more concerned about living my life the way I want to live it.

My friend’s parents are getting sick and dying. Not much to say about this one except that we are next in line.

My children are old. What the hell? I never, ever thought my son would be taller than me and kick my ass in pull ups (not hard to do, I assure you), or that my daughter and I would be discussing what it is like to have a period. You might not think your kids will ever get there, but they will, and it will be before you know it.

My body hurts. It aches when I get out of bed in the morning. I have to stretch, take Motrin and use heating pads. Bring on the Vicks Vapor Rub and the “I’ve Fallen and I Can’t Get Up” button in the shower.

This year, I’m wishing for the norm: to drink more water, to become more enlightened, to train/race without severe pain and/or injury and to figure out what I want to be when I grow up. Piece of cake.

Not a birthday cake, but my first anniversary is this weekend, and since I refused to do the whole "freeze the top layer" thing because I've never frozen anything without it getting freezer burn... I'm getting a fresh red velvet cake with cream cheese icing this weekend! I can't wait!!

What's with this 'mature' talk and 'no more potty talk'? Hopefully that was just birthday sarcasm I missed due to lack of coffee, but as a 40-something birthday boy as well I say we've earned the right to be as immature as we'd like. :) Happy birthday and enjoy the cake!

*Agree...the body aches more*Agree...I care less and less about what others think...It's about living YOUR life how you want (within reason...of course!)*Agree...those kids really do grow up faster than we realize.and sadly I must *agree....others have been dying around me too....

Live it up...we never know when we will go!! (or be granted another birthday...enjoy your red velvet!)

Happy birthday! I'm only 33 but I hear you on the whole aging thing. I never thought my body would have so many weird aches & pains, especially first thing in the morning. Sheesh. Hope your birthday is a great one!

Happy Birthday!! Love your outlook on choosing to live your life instead of worrying about others and what they think of your life. The 40s definitely bring a new perspective - my new goal is to be happy, enjoy life, and see and do as much as I can. And, definitely make better choices about what I choose to let stress me out!! (though that stress does fuel some fast runs!)

Happy B'day youngster. I am turning 59 this year and feel about 28. Look it for the most part. Too bad I can't exercise my NECK! Can still stand on my hands, head and turn a cartwheel or two and working on the pull-ups (turn your hands around!)

Happy Birthday! Now I know what I have to look forward too:) Although the aches are already here at 36. No period talk since I have 2 boys, but my oldest is only 11 and is 2 inches away from being my height. What?! You will rock the new age group!

A Birthday Story for you: Today, I totally forgot where I was and ripped a huge, loud fart and even shocked myself...I was at work, at my desk! Luckily the only other person here was on the 3rd floor and I could play it off as something else! Happy Birthday!

And where is the 'I'm going to yell: Get the f off my lawn' statement that you will be doing this year? Isn't that what we are supposed to do when we turn 45? What do people say if they live in an apartment? Stop knocking on my door?

Happy birthday. So glad to hear you are in this age group. As a newbie to running and age 45it is refreshing to hear someone talk about pains and not all about being skinny and peppy and oh I broke a nail and it hurt so bad. V

Happy belated birthday Beth....we are like fine wine, we better with age (im older than you so i can relate). Hope your day and year are blessed beyond measure. May you NEVER give up fart talk and having fun....as we know life is too short, live it and enjoy it.God Bless!

Happy birthday Beth! I turned 29 yesterday and was feeling for a moment - kinda old lol (I mean - I'm almost 30!!! *gasp*) Then I read this and thought, fuck it, if I am even half as amazing as you are 45 then I'm cool with it :D